ENGLISH trio Bukayo Saka, Mason Greenwood and Jude Bellingham have all been nominated for this year’s edition of the prestigious Kopa Trophy.
The award, which is named after French footballer Raymond Kopa, is given to the best performing player under the age of 21.
It is handed out on the same night as the Ballon d’Or and decided upon by previous winners.
The other nominees include Bellingham’s Dortmund team-mate Giovanni Reyna and Barcelona and Spain teen sensation Pedri.
Rennes and Belgium forward Jeremy Doku has also made the 10-man shortlist.
Ajax midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is another nominee, as is Bayern Munich and Germany playmaker Jamal Musiala.
Musiala’s compatriot Florian Wirtz is also on the shortlist, with Paris Saint-Germain full-back Nuno Mendes rounding off the nominees.
The ceremony, which will announce the Kopa Trophy and Ballon d’Or winners among other awards, will take place on November 29.
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Meanwhile, Premier League players have dominated the Ballon d’Or longlist – making up almost half of the of the 30 names
Five players from Chelsea and Man City, two from Manchester United and one each from Tottenham and Liverpool have made the cut.
Chelsea stars Cesar Azpilicueta, N’Golo Kante, Romelu Lukaku, Mason Mount and Jorginho – who is among the favourites – feature.
City have Kevin de Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, and Raheem Sterling.
Portugal team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes represent United.
Harry Kane is Tottenham’s sole nominee while Mohamed Salah is Liverpool’s.
The award is given to the year’s best footballer but was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
